Chapter 9.02
DEFINITIONS*
Sections:
9.02.010 Animal control officer.
9.02.020 Animal control program.
9.02.030 Animal control shelter.
9.02.040 Director of environmental services.
* Prior ordinance history: Ords. 638, 675, 690 and 758.
9.02.010 Animal control officer.
"Animal control officer" means that person designated as the animal control program manager of the division of animal control services for the county and his duly authorized officers or deputies, as well as the president of the county’s contract agent and his duly authorized officers or deputies. (Ord. 943 § 2 (part), 2006).
9.02.020 Animal control program.
"Animal control program" means that program within the division of animal control services of the environmental services agency of the county, or the county’s designated contract agent or both, which is specifically charged with regulating and enforcing laws dealing with animal control within its jurisdiction. (Ord. 943 § 2 (part), 2006).
9.02.030 Animal control shelter.
"Animal control shelter" means the facilities provided by the county or the county’s designated contract agent for the impounding of animals. (Ord. 943 § 2 (part), 2006).
9.02.040 Director of environmental services.
"Director of environmental services" means that person so designated by the board of supervisors of the county of San Mateo. (Ord. 943 § 2 (part), 2006).
9.02.050 Licensing program.
"Licensing program" means that program within the division of revenue services of the employee and public services agency of the county which is specifically charged with regulating and selling dog licenses in San Mateo County. (Ord. 943 § 2 (part), 2006).
9.02.070 Impoundment.
"Impoundment" means the picking up and confining of an animal by the animal control program. (Ord. 943 § 2 (part), 2006).
9.02.080 Owner.
"Owner" means that person eighteen (18) years of age or older who holds license to the animal, or if the animal is not licensed, that person eighteen (18) years of age or over legally entitled to possession of the animal concerned and who has primary responsibility for the care of the animal. (Ord. 943 § 2 (part), 2006).
9.02.100 Dangerous animal.
"Dangerous animal" means any animal, except a trained dog assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement duties, which because of its disposition, behavior, training or other characteristic constitutes a danger to persons or property, or which demonstrates any or all of the following behavior:
(1) Any attack or other behavior which requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury or property damage or that results in an injury to a person or property;
(2) Any aggressive attack or any behavior that constitutes a substantial threat of bodily harm to a person or animal; where such attack, injury or behaviors occurs in place where such person or animal is conducting himself peaceably and lawfully;
(3) An attack on another animal or livestock which occurs off the property of the owner of the attacking animal;
(4) Any animal that has been deemed by another governmental jurisdiction as "potentially dangerous," "dangerous," or "vicious," or any other similar designation. (Ord. 943 § 2 (part), 2006).
9.02.105 Wolf hybrid.
"Wolf hybrid" means any offspring of domestic dogs bred to wild canids (e.g., wolves or coyotes) and their subsequent generations. (Ord. 943 § 2 (part), 2006).
9.02.110 Vicious animal.
"Vicious animal" means any animal, except a trained dog assisting a peace officer engaged in law enforcement duties, which meets any or all of the following criteria:
(1) Any animal previously designated as "dangerous," that after investigation by an animal control officer, humane officer and/or peace officer is found under conditions which constitute a violation of this chapter and which demonstrates a significant danger to the public health or safety;
(2) Any animal seized under Section 599aa of the Penal Code and/or upon the sustaining of a conviction of the owner or caretaker under subdivision (a) of the Section 597.5 of the Penal Code;
(3) Any animal which inflicts severe injury on or kills a human being or another animal;
(4) Any animal which has engaged in any behavior which demonstrates that the animal represents a clear and present danger to the public health or safety and that the animal could not be safely maintained under a dangerous animal permit. (Ord. 943 § 2 (part), 2006).
9.02.120 Severe injury.
"Severe injury" means any physical injury directly caused by an animal attack that consists of muscle tears, multiple punctures, broken bones or disfiguring lacerations or which require multiple sutures or corrective or cosmetic surgery. (Ord. 943 § 2 (part), 2006).